Indians notebook: Rivas hopes someone was watching

Thursday

Sep 27, 2007 at 12:01 AMSep 27, 2007 at 3:45 PM

Luis Rivas singled, tripled, homered and drove in four runs in five at-bats, helping the Indians blast Seattle, 12-4, in the first game of a doubleheader. Rivas was making his first start for Cleveland after spending nearly the entire 2007 season at Triple-A Buffalo.

Andy Call

Teams looking for a utility infielder for next season might want to remember the name Luis Rivas.

Any teams that happened to be scouting Wednesday night’s game at Safeco Field certainly will.

Rivas singled, tripled, homered and drove in four runs in five at-bats, helping the Indians blast Seattle, 12-4, in the first game of a doubleheader. Rivas was making his first start for Cleveland after spending nearly the entire 2007 season at Triple-A Buffalo.

“You just have to get used to it,” Rivas said of his 25 days of inactivity since being called up. “You just wait for your opportunity and do the best you can when you get it.”

Rivas had an opportunity to make the Indians during spring training, but was beaten out by Mike Rouse. When Rouse didn’t pan out, Cleveland traded for Chris Gomez.

“Stuff happens,” Rivas said.

Rivas, meanwhile, batted .263 with 17 doubles, 11 home runs, 43 RBIs and 13 stolen bases for Buffalo. He batted .306 and hit safely in 20 of 21 games after the All-Star break.

“We got a strong look at him during spring training,” Indians Manager Eric Wedge said. “He’s shown himself to be a very good teammate, and has big-league experience as well.”

The 28-year-old Venezuelan made five consecutive Opening Day starts at second base for the Twins (2001-05), but injuries and inconsistency led to his demise there.

Now, after a solid season in Triple-A and a big game Wednesday, Rivas hopes somebody was watching.

“I hit the ball good, I played hard, I stayed healthy,” Rivas said. “Maybe I’ll get a chance — with this team or another team.”

COMING UP The series concludes tonight at 10:05. Cha Seung Baek (3-3, 5.54) will start against Paul Byrd (15-7, 4.55).

HOME SWEET HOME The Indians were considered the home team for the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader, the makeup of one of the snowed-out games at Jacobs Field in April. Cleveland wore its gray road uniforms, but batted last. The Indians have been the “home” team in three different ballparks this season — Jacobs Field, Safeco Field and Milwaukee’s Miller Park.

LONG TIME COMING Seattle’s media notes Wednesday indicated it will have taken 174 days and 10,100 air miles to complete the originally scheduled four-game April series at Cleveland.

INJURY REPORT C Victor Martinez and SS Jhonny Peralta, who fouled balls off their knees while batting Tuesday, both played Wednesday.

LONG OR SHORT Manager Eric Wedge said the decision to carry 10 or 11 pitchers for the Division Series will likely be triggered by whether the series will be played in seven days or eight. A seven-day series would mean 11 pitchers because the Indians will need four starters instead of three.